According to Erin Walsh of Bleacher Report, the New York Yankees are thought to be among the top destinations for free agent Jordan Montgomery to land. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that Gerrit Cole will be out of the Yankees’ lineup for “one to two months.” Throughout the winter, the organization has been active in the starting pitcher market and may make a move for Montgomery.
Blake Snell was connected to the Yankees earlier in the offseason. Additionally, they pitched Dylan Cease to the Chicago White Sox. Snell and the San Francisco Giants reached a two-year, $62 million agreement on March 18. On March 13, Cease was traded to the San Diego Padres. Walsh said that Montgomery would be a “decent consolation prize.”
Earlier in the offseason, the Yankees made Snell a last $150 million offer; however, Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY reported that the team “pulled their offer and declined to re-enter the sweepstakes.”
“Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, Nestor Cortes—who was named the Opening Day starter—and Montgomery would be a good addition to a New York rotation,” observed Walsh.
The Yankees’ rotation would be solidified by Jordan Montgomery.
Edema and inflammation of the nerves are Cole’s ailments, according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. It is a major blow that he was not included in the Yankees rotation to begin the season.
The 33-year-old placed second twice in his career before taking home his first Cy Young Award in 2023. Cole led the American League in innings pitched (209.0), record (15-4), and 2.53 ERA.
On opening day, Cortes will lead the Yankees off, followed by Rodón and Stroman. Cortes and Rodón have both recovered from seasons marred by injuries. Following a World Series victory, Montgomery started 32 games for the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals in 2023. In Cole’s absence, he would give the rotation a seasoned arm.
For the Cardinals and Rangers, Montgomery pitched 188.2 innings with a 3.20 ERA. But Montgomery was a superior pitcher after July 30, when he was dealt to the Rangers. Against the Rangers, Montgomery had a 4-2 record and a 2.79 ERA. Montgomery had a 3-1 record in the postseason while the Rangers were winning titles.
Montgomery rejoining the YankeesÂ
Montgomery was drafted by the Yankees in 2014. He made his club debut in 2017 and remained in New York until 2022. Midway through the season, the Yankees traded Montgomery to the Cardinals. In 98 games, 97 of which were starts, he recorded a 22–20 record, 3.94 ERA, and 1.23 WHIP while pitching for the Yankees. Montgomery battled various elbow problems from 2018 to 2020, but he still managed to make 17 starts across three seasons.
According to Spotrac, Montgomery is expected to sign a six-year, $110 million contract. Heyman claims that the 31-year-old might not be interested in joining the Yankees again.
Heyman stated, “The Yankees will continue to pursue starting pitching, but their options are limited, especially since they are even less certain that Jordan Montgomery, the top free agent still available, is interested in coming back to The Bronx.”
Montgomery believes that when the Yankees dealt him to the Cardinals in 2022, they may have given up on him, as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Walsh claims that the Rangers, Houston Astros, and Boston Red Sox are among Montgomery’s top landing destinations.
Â
